Maryland delegates have rejected a Republican's resolution that would have required them to vote on their planned salary increase. Instead it will likely kick in automatically.

Legislators are set to receive a 15.7-percent pay raise over the next four years. It will be their first since 2006.

According to the state constitution, a legislative commission recommends periodic adjustments to lawmakers' salaries. They take effect automatically unless legislators vote to reject them.

Del. Cathy Vitale, of Anne Arundel County, submitted a bill rejecting the next raise. She urged colleagues Tuesday to let her bill bypass the committee system and go straight to the House floor.

Her request failed by a 48-87 vote.

With just a few days left in the session, her bill likely won't clear the committee.

Montgomery County Delegate, and Democratic candidate for governor Heather Mizeur, supported the resolution. She said lawmakers should be forced to defend their pay hike, and any pay hike should be linked to an increase in the minimum wage, which remains stuck in a Senate committee

Under the plans, lawmakers salaries would increase from $43,500 to more than $50,000 by 2018, for what is supposed to be a part-time job.